Rangers, Giants skippers get different replay results

Bochy's challenge gets play overturned, while two reviews go against Texas

By
T.R. Sullivan and Doug Miller
MLB.com

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy successfully challenged a call in the second inning of their game against the Rangers on Thursday night. It was the second overturned call in Spring Training under the new instant-replay format introduced this year.

Rangers manager Ron Washington missed two chances for No. 3 in a Cactus League game at Surprise Stadium. First-base umpire David Rackley had his work reviewed all three times.

Bochy issued the first challenge. With Rangers starter Martin Perez pitching, the Giants had a runner at first and Juan Perez at the plate. Perez hit a high chopper to shortstop Elvis Andrus to start what appeared to be an inning-ending double play. Perez was ruled out at first base by Rackley.

Bochy then asked for a review and the call was overturned. Perez was ruled safe after an approximately 90-second period. But Martin Perez retired Brandon Hicks on another grounder to end the inning.

The Rangers weren't happy they were already back in the dugout after the inning was over and had to go back on the field.

Bochy said after the game that Giants assistant Major League coach Shawon Dunston was out behind the stadium in a TV truck watching the play and relayed his opinion on the play within the required 30 seconds via walkie-talkie.

"He looked safe from where we were," Bochy said. "It wasn't like we got a bunch of replays and we knew we would be right, but it was the first time that we had the chance to review it, and I did. ... We thought we were right, and it turns out we were."

He wasn't the only one.

In the bottom of the third, Andrus hit a grounder to shortstop Brandon Crawford and was barely thrown out at first. Washington put in his challenge but after an 82-second review, the call was upheld.

Washington said that he went out too quickly to challenge the call instead of waiting for bench coach Tim Bogar to get the word from Joey Prebynski, who was watching the instant replay for the Rangers in their television truck. Prebynski will serve as the Rangers' clubhouse "eye" on instant replay during the season.

"I should have taken my time and waited to hear from Bogar," Washington said. "In the future I'm going to take my time and look back at Bogar."

In the bottom of the eighth with two out and a runner on second base with the game tied at 4, Rangers outfielder Bryan Petersen hit a ground ball to Giants second baseman Joe Panik, who fielded the ball and threw to first baseman Mark Minicozzi. Petersen was called out by Rackley in a close play, but the umpiring crew reviewed the play because it came in the seventh inning or later and was requested by Washington. After one minute and 42 seconds, the call was upheld.

"Two outs there, if the runner is safe, we score the run and take the lead," Washington said. "You have to ask there."

After the game, Bochy said he likes the new rule for the most part, but there have to be "some kinks worked out."

"It's going to be a fun little toy," Bochy said. "Now I hope it doesn't get to the point where you get challenges out there that really aren't going to be conclusive, every game, just use it to use it. But it's to take care of the blatant call or the important call that's going to change a game."